My new beast...well sort of!

private9 · 28-07-2007, 10:30 PM

Hi All,

Picked up my donor car today!

It's an AU Fairlane Ghia, immac condition, V8, on gas, leather, 17" optional rims etc etc. Does have 1 custom body mod, see if you can pick it!

Plans for this are to firstly get a panel beater mate to give me a price on repair. I know it's not going to be worth repairing, but I'll get him to check just in case. I'm thinking at least 4-5k of damage at a glance. Even if it is cheap to repair, I'm not that keen on it as they never really go back nicely I've found.

The plan is to use this as a donor car for my AU3 Futura wagon.

First up, the rims will be going on next week. I wasn't planning or wanting a wheel upgrade as I want to maintain a standard appearance, but need to get 17's to clear my brakes. I do like the look of these wheels though, and I think they'll look good on the wags. Bit of a bonus that these also have brand new Goodyear F1 tyres all round as well.

From there I'm thinking interior conversion.

Door trims, front seats, console and rear seat base plus all the chrome doo dads are easy enough. Backrest for the rear seat I'm still nutting out. Depending on how brave I feel, I'll then contemplate a dash/climate/traction conversion. Obviously I'll need to change some of the V8 Fairlane parts (ie ecu, bem, abs unit etc) to 6 cylinder versions, but I'll worry about all this when the weather's better!

After that, I'll stockpile numerous spares for my car, and then sell off what's left.

As an added bonus, the car came with an AU3 XR8 Tickford snorkel and a K&N, as well as 2 spare 17" wheels!

I was contemplating keeping the front, and whacking that on the wagon later, but I think it will look way too much like a hearse!

None of this will be happening quickly though, want to wait till the weather's nicer (no garage!) and I've got a bit more room around the place.

Anyhow, any other suggestions of what I should pinch, then let me know!!

Thanks,

Justin.

KR1STO · 28-07-2007, 10:37 PM

hmmmmm....LTD clear bootlid garnish..???

HLC · 28-07-2007, 10:40 PM

p plater with a v8 hahahah mad.

private9 · 28-07-2007, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HLC

p plater with a v8 hahahah mad.

Yeah, it was only outlawed in Vic a month or two back I think.

AC · 28-07-2007, 10:57 PM

Might i be the first to say.... THAT'LL BUFF OUT

:

private9 · 28-07-2007, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AC

Might i be the first to say.... THAT'LL BUFF OUT

:

I was astounded that wasn't the first post! Where's Mechan1ks avatr when you need it!

AC · 28-07-2007, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by private9

I was astounded that wasn't the first post! Where's Mechan1ks avatr when you need it!

LOL, Yes on both accounts

**Mechan1k** · 29-07-2007, 02:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by private9

I was astounded that wasn't the first post! Where's Mechan1ks avatr when you need it!

Right here.
I knew my avatar was good for something.

Nice donor car though.
Go nuts with the socket set and screwdrivers I say.

private9 · 29-07-2007, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mechan1k

Right here.
I knew my avatar was good for something.

Nice donor car though.
Go nuts with the socket set and screwdrivers I say.

Thanks mate, that's the plan!

Kryton · 28-07-2007, 10:57 PM

just for my own curiosity how much did you get that for?
PM me if you want.

private9 · 28-07-2007, 11:03 PM

Just realised - I've got a rear ended AU Fairlane and a front ended NF Fairlane - now to merge the two into a V16 bargetastic beast!

JC · 28-07-2007, 11:53 PM

I'd be putting the V8 (including gas setup) into the wagon too - gearbox and tailshaft will also need to be transferred, but given that the fairlane and wagon are built on the same wheelbase, should be a straight forward swap.

private9 · 29-07-2007, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JC

I'd be putting the V8 (including gas setup) into the wagon too - gearbox and tailshaft will also need to be transferred, but given that the fairlane and wagon are built on the same wheelbase, should be a straight forward swap.

The thought did cross my mind, but it's waaaaayyyy outta my league! If the dash conversion scares me, can you imagine what I'm thinking about transferring the engine, tranny, LPG setup, loooms and god knows what else!

au2sw · 29-07-2007, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JC

I'd be putting the V8 (including gas setup) into the wagon too - gearbox and tailshaft will also need to be transferred, but given that the fairlane and wagon are built on the same wheelbase, should be a straight forward swap.

you wont be able to use the tank or serviceline from the lpg setup (unless the service line is flex and not copper)and the tank will more then likely be bracketed meaning you wouldnt be able to fit it to the wagon.....besides, the teroidal tanks are a much nicer fit under the wagons

you'd probably end up with problems on the front end as well if you didnt use the V8 but wanted the gas. however, saying that, if you removed all the gear and took it with your wagon to a fitter, they may give you a reasonable discount to do the conversion on the wagon. plus your 2G rebate and youd be laughing.ring around first of course to see if there is a fitter close to you who would be willing to do it.....maybe blownba might be worth a shot?

private9 · 29-07-2007, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by au2sw

you wont be able to use the tank or serviceline from the lpg setup (unless the service line is flex and not copper)and the tank will more then likely be bracketed meaning you wouldnt be able to fit it to the wagon.....besides, the teroidal tanks are a much nicer fit under the wagons

you'd probably end up with problems on the front end as well if you didnt use the V8 but wanted the gas. however, saying that, if you removed all the gear and took it with your wagon to a fitter, they may give you a reasonable discount to do the conversion on the wagon. plus your 2G rebate and youd be laughing.ring around first of course to see if there is a fitter close to you who would be willing to do it.....maybe blownba might be worth a shot?

Thanks Col! Was kinda banking on the tank and lines not being of any use to me in the wagon. I'm also assuming that none of the engine bay gear will be of any use either - pity this thing isn't a 6!

blackers10 · 29-07-2007, 12:55 AM

i SO wanted that ltd when it was on ebay!
was a good buy thats for sure!!

apolloxbgt · 29-07-2007, 12:57 AM

Theres more than 4 or 5k in damage,even at mates rates.

private9 · 29-07-2007, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apolloxbgt

Theres more than 4 or 5k in damage,even at mates rates.

Yep, that's what I'm thinking too! He does look after me though and he's done similar for less. Either way, I'm really not too keen on repairing it, but I will still check it out.

blackers10 · 29-07-2007, 01:07 AM

just in parts its worth more than repairing it

V8+tranny and gas and wheels+tyres and interior separatly are worth more than the car probably is

private9 · 29-07-2007, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackers10

just in parts its worth more than repairing it

V8+tranny and gas and wheels+tyres and interior separatly are worth more than the car probably is

Definitely. Interior alone would probably do it.

Having said that, I'll be keeping the interior, most likely the prem sound (unless I can be stuffed putting in the doof doof system I've been building), wheels & tyres and lotsa spares.

Pinched the repeaters off it today as they're brand new, and look better than mine. That was my 30 second upgrade for the month!

GlennBA · 29-07-2007, 09:57 AM

put the front end and the v8 on the wagon too

Wasn't this fairlane a members car?

private9 · 29-07-2007, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GlennBA

put the front end and the v8 on the wagon too

Wasn't this fairlane a members car?

Front end I'm still open to, but not immediately. Just gotta find out first whether it's all straight bolt up, or whether the radiator support will need to be changed over. If so, I won't bother. If it's a straight bolt up, I'll keep it all aside for a while until I make up my mind.

V8 conversion is pretty much out I think, way too much work for too little return (no offence Windsor guys!) I love the way the little windsors drive, but it is just sooo much work, and something that I'm not really skilled enough to do.

I don't think the previous owner was a member on here, but he is on fordmods.

HLC · 29-07-2007, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by private9

Front end I'm still open to, but not immediately. Just gotta find out first whether it's all straight bolt up, or whether the radiator support will need to be changed over. If so, I won't bother. If it's a straight bolt up, I'll keep it all aside for a while until I make up my mind.

V8 conversion is pretty much out I think, way too much work for too little return (no offence Windsor guys!) I love the way the little windsors drive, but it is just sooo much work, and something that I'm not really skilled enough to do.

I don't think the previous owner was a member on here, but he is on fordmods.

ive seen a fairlane front on a wagon.

infact saw this particular car at auburn last week. certainly made me look twice.

b2tf · 29-07-2007, 06:58 PM

Nice pickup, but seriously, if youve got the V8 sitting there, put it in or you'll regret it afterwards. Or sell it to Buckie too - package deal. Dash and a bit of donk to go behind it :hihi:.

To put the dash in would be harder than doing the engine swap, Ive heard of the engine swap being done in a day with the right tools. The dash basically involves gutting the entire front of the cabin.

As for that "little windsor" comment......you and I need to talk!

:

ing_sm

: :hihi:

private9 · 29-07-2007, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b2tf

Nice pickup, but seriously, if youve got the V8 sitting there, put it in or you'll regret it afterwards. Or sell it to Buckie too - package deal. Dash and a bit of donk to go behind it :hihi:.

To put the dash in would be harder than doing the engine swap, Ive heard of the engine swap being done in a day with the right tools. The dash basically involves gutting the entire front of the cabin.

As for that "little windsor" comment......you and I need to talk!

:

ing_sm

: :hihi:

I'm thinking though that engine swap may lead to insurance hassles - I know they were available from the factory, but they always seem to frown upon converted cars.

That, and the fact that mine's a S3, and the Lane is a S1, and legally you cannot put an older engine in a car - not that anyone would ever check though.

I know that getting a workshop to do it, will be fairly exxy too.

I'm not that talented when it comes to these things, and it seems like a lot of effort just for an exhaust note and a few kw's! They are so much nicer to drive than the 6's though aren't they?!

Plus, if I ever wanted some power, just turbo the 6.

Bucknaked · 29-07-2007, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b2tf

Nice pickup, but seriously, if youve got the V8 sitting there, put it in or you'll regret it afterwards. Or sell it to Buckie too - package deal. Dash and a bit of donk to go behind it :hihi:.

Mate, I don't need all of it. Can I just take 2 cylinders?

ClassicAU · 29-07-2007, 10:27 AM

Great pickup mate! I definitely want to do the same thing for my next mod as well! Ghia interior conversion is awesome! Should turn out great in a wagon too.

Evan

private9 · 29-07-2007, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClassicAU

Great pickup mate! I definitely want to do the same thing for my next mod as well! Ghia interior conversion is awesome! Should turn out great in a wagon too.

Evan

Thanks Ev!

I must say I'm jealous of all the Fairlane drivers out there, they have got such an awesome, comfy interior.

JC · 29-07-2007, 04:34 PM

Let me know how much you might be after for V8, auto, ECU and tailshaft. At the right price, I may be interested, but it would have to be on the good side of cheap!

private9 · 29-07-2007, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JC

Let me know how much you might be after for V8, auto, ECU and tailshaft. At the right price, I may be interested, but it would have to be on the good side of cheap!

You're not thinking about your wagon are you?! Come and do mine instead!

All that will be flogged cheap, but will have to be with buyer removing - kinda makes it difficult between states!